This morning the three baby starlings flapped and pooped with increased enthusiasm,  until one took the plunge and dived for the opening of the roof where the parents have been vociferously encouraging them from. Success as out he flew into the bright light of day. One of the others not so lucky, he misjudged and fell to the floor of our bedroom, where I  later found Dzidzi , our jack russel terrier,  mouthing him. He was dead to the world. Sad that all that effort on the part of his parents came to nought. The other flew I know not when, but I have since seen the two surviving chicks happily fluffed on a branch outside the room, being fed red fruits from a vine that grows nearby and generally being fussed over by the parents.

Jade and Rayne are coming to visit this evening after a week of school. I have started a dress- up box for them. Have heaped old scarves, belts and shiny stuff for capes into my grandfathers’ old box trunk which stands in our lounge. Added a miniature wedding dress which Bianca then Kelli used to dress up, which I have kept in the attic until today. My mum made for it me to play in when I was 6. I know they will be so excited, and they will probably play the drums excellently in our lounge as part of the dance show they will immediately devise in their new regalia.
I shall boil eggs and stuff them for the little girls, for an early theatre supper …yummy !

Cajun-spiced Stuffed Eggs

Ingredients:

Eggs – 6 hard boiled
Mayonnaise
Cajun spice mix – 1 teaspoon or more if you like it spicier. See recipe below.
Salt

Method:

Hard boil and half the eggs length ways. Scoop out the yolk and mash it with mayonnaise and Cajun spice mix to taste. ( Less cajun spice in the eggs the little ones will get!) Add salt as necessary. Pile the yolks back into the white shells and serve on a bed of coleslaw .

Coleslaw

Ingredients:
Cabbage – 2 cups finely shredded
Carrot – 1 cup grated
Apple – 1 cup grated (skin and all)
Mayonnaise – 1/2 cup mixed to creamy consistency with milk, and salt and pepper to taste
Trail mix – 1 cup (including delicious nuts,raisins,sunflower and pumpkin seeds)

Method:

Mix cabbage, carrot and apple with mayonnaise. Stir in trail mix.

Cajun spice mix

Ingredients:

Paprika – 1/2 cup
Cayenne pepper – 1 and 1/2 tablespoons
Black pepper – 1/4 cup
Onion powder –  2 tablespoons
Garlic powder – 2 tablespoons

Method:

Combine spices thoroughly, store  in a jar in a cool place.